Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation

THE MISSION OF THE WANDA JOYCE ROBINSON FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND RESOURCES TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. THE FOUNDATION HAS THE UNIQUE CAPACITY TO "FILL THE GAPS" THAT MACRO-LEVEL SOCIAL SERVICES UNINTENTIONALLY CREATE. THE FOUNDATION UNITES THE OFFENDER, THEIR CHILDREN, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, SCHOOLS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES TO CREATE A FAMILY NETWORK. WITHIN THIS NETWORK, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR BOTH THE INCARCERATED PARENT AND CHILD; SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NON- INCARCERATED PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS; TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS; AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS THE VISION OF THE FOUNDATION TO END THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WE SERVE A PATH OF HOPE AND A VISION OF A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

PROGRAM SERVICES FOR CHILREN AND YOUTH INCLUDE KRUSH (KIDS RISING UP THROUGH SUPPORT AND HEALING), YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, OPERATION MAKING A CHANGE (OMAC) AND SPONSORSHIPS FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. KRUSH IS A SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM WITH SOCIAL EMOTIONAL CURRICULUM DEVELOPED FOR STUDENTS PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. THIS PROGRAM SERVES MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS WEEKLY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDING FOR GROUP SUPPLIES AND FIELD TRIPS. STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM ARE ABLE TO BECOME PEER MENTORS IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, FOR ELEMENTARY AGE CHILDREN. AS STUDENTS ENTER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, THEY ARE ELEGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WJRF YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES AN EVIDENCED-BASED LIFE SKILLS CURRICULUM, COLLEGE AND CAREER FIELD TRIPS, AND SERVICE LEARNING. STUDENTS IN THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM MAY ALSO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES A WEEKLY PROGRAM, OPERATION MAKING A CHANGE, AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH INVOVLED, OR HIGHLY AT RISK OF BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. YOUTH ARE ALSO SPONNSORED IN EXTRA-CURRICLAR ACTIVITIES.

PROGRAM SERVICES FOR PARENT AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT INCLUDE SECOND THURSDAYS, PARENT CAFES AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE. SECOND THURSDAYS IS A MONTHLY THERAPUTIC CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP LED BY A LICENSED COUNSELOR. CHILDCARE AND DINNER ARE PROVIDED DURING THIS MEETING. PARENT CAFES ARE A PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OFFERED TO PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS MONTHLY. CAF FACILITATORS TEACH PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR STRENGHTHENING FAMILIES. ACTIVITES FOR CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED DURING PARENT CAFES. ADDITIONALLY, WJRF PROVIDES ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC NEEDS INCLUDING RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD, HOUSING AND CLOTHING.

PROGRAMS FOR INCARCERATED PARENTS INCLUDES FREE WEEKLY VISITATION WITH CHILDREN, PARENTING CLASSES AND ASSISTANCE WITH RE-ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY WHEN INCARCERATION ENDS. THE FOUNDATION HELPS TO SCHEDULE VISITS IN-PERSON OR VIA PHONE OR VIDEO, WITH FACILITIES AND MEETS WITH CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS TO HOST VISITS. WJRF PROVIDES ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORTATION AS NEEDED.